Venus Williams targeting return to action at the ‘Sunshine Double’

Venus Williams is not yet done with professional tennis.

At 43 years of age, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has revealed that she is planning a return to competitive action this season, with the target being the renowned ‘Sunshine Double’ Masters swing of Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March.

“One of my big goals is to play United States, to play in the Miami Open and at Indian Wells,” Williams said via a video on her YouTube channel.

“I have not played there since 2019 due to injuries. It’s a long time. It’s a lot of years not to play at home. So that’s of course one of my big goals on the horizon, is to be there, prepare to do that. Amongst many goals on the court, too.

“I want to be there, I want to be there on time, but I have a lot of other challenges to overcome.”

Williams spoke candidly about her struggles with injury over the past six months, with the former world No 1 sustaining a knee injury during her first-round loss to Elina Svitolina at Wimbledon last summer.

That injury has almost entirely kept her away from tour over the past six months, although remarkably Williams was able to make several appearances across the North American hard-court swing last summer, during which she a secured a hugely impressive top-10 victory over Veronika Kudermetova in Cincinnati.

As the pain and swelling in her knee did not subside, Williams had a cortisone injection in an attempt to play at the 2023 US Open, where she then lost heavily in the first round.

As Williams waved goodbye to the New York crowd for another year, most in the sport feared she would not play competitive tennis in her homeland again.

However, after a pep talk with younger sister Serena, Venus was told she not allowed to call time on her career just yet.

“My little sister, Serena, told me I’m not allowed to quit, and of course, I would never quit,” Williams said.

“But it’s the mandate. She said no, so I will be back on the court.”

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